Turkana Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro on Wednesday flagged off a consignment of relief food meant to cushion residents from effects of Covid-19 and severe drought across the county.
The exercise is part of a response plan from County Government to help residents get food following prolonged dry spell amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The County Government through the Covid-19 fund has procured 70,000 bags (50kgs) of white maize, 6,500 bags (50kgs) of rice, 16,000 bags (50kgs) of beans and 15,000 cans (20 litres) of cooking oil which will cover 11,000 households estimated at a population of 640,366 in the entire county,” said Lotethiro .
He said that food will be a relief to residents at this time due to the deepening hunger levels as a result of the harsh climate and the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, the Deputy Governor said the County Government will continue to provide support to its residents by appealing for partners to provide animal feeds, water and food to hard hit areas of Turkana North and Turkana East Sub-Counties.
The County Government is also working closely with World Food Programme and World Vision to transport the 3, 037 metric tonnes of food to all the Seven Sub-Counties in the region.
The Chief Officer Public Administration and Disaster Management, Esther Ikaru confirmed that procurement for relief food for the current financial year is ongoing as she decried the budgetary constraints.
“For full cushioning of our residents, we had budgeted Sh451 million for relief food aid but we only have Sh211 million, as a Government we appeal for partners’ support to cover the Sh240 million deficit,” she said.
The Chief Officer added that the food distribution will prioritise worst hit areas such as Kibish, Turkana North and East Sub-Counties as the remaining Sub-Counties continue to receive.
Ikaru further said that the food distribution exercise will be done in compliance with the government’s Covid-19 protocols.
Turkana Deputy Governor was accompanied by County Secretary Peter Eripete, Covid-19 Fund Board Chairperson Rev. Samson Akoru, Board Member David Ekod and Director Disaster Management Vincent Palor among others.
By Peter Gitonga
